Product Description

One of our most striking and impressive sets of chess pieces, this awe-inspiring set features imposing designs inspired by the Royal Beasts of Hampton Court Palace.

The ‘King’s Beasts’ as they were originally known, were carved for King Henry VIII at Hampton Court Palace over 400 years ago. Following this, many stone beasts decorated the walls of Hampton Court until King William III used them to fill in the palace's moat during his reign. In 1909 the moat was cleared and several of the beasts were recovered. Queen Elizabeth II had her own set of ten beasts created, largely inspired by Henry’s originals. Hers are the ones which we see adorning many regal designs today, such as crests and shields.

This unusual and richly detailed set of pieces features designs based on the most iconic of the Royal Beasts, and are coloured with a shining metallic finish.

The King: Lion of England
The Queen: Unicorn of England
The Bishop: White Lion of Mortimer & Black Bull of Clarence
The Knight: White Horse of Hanover & Yale of Beaufort
The Rook: Griffin of Edward III & Falcon of the Plantagenets
The Pawn: Greyhound of Richmond & Red Dragon of Wales